Hermessence Paprika Brasil

Applying Paprika Brasil on my hand, is like as if I just sliced open a fresh chilli pepper, and its juice full of vegetal sweetness and spiciness got on my fingers. But this initially fresh spicy scent turns drier and more fiery in no time, as if the fruit is being dried and turned into paprika. I can also smell some peppery nuance around the edges. The spices reach its peak at around 15 minutes and gradually cools down afterwards. The fragrance is then dominated by iris after about 2 hours. The iris here is gently rooty and carroty, which pairs brilliantly with the vegetal characteristics of the chilli pepper, allowing a seemingly unexpected yet seamless transition between chilli pepper and iris. Just when I thought Paprika Brasil would remain a subtly spiced powdery iris, the clove starts to emerge after about 5 hours. Its spiciness turns the fragrance into a spicy violet. I can even catch a glimpse of its meatiness. Paprika Brasil remains close to skin throughout its 9 hours longevity. I'm not familiar with brazilwood, and wasn't able to discern it from the woody base. Instead, iris plays a such important role that I tend to agree that Paprika Brasil seems to be a misleading name for this fragrance. Although there're plenty of excellent iris fragrances out there, combining iris with chilli pepper is quite unique and works surprisingly well in Paprika Brasil. The hot spices and cool iris make an interesting contrast, while both present a vegetal quality that keeps the fragrance coherent. Moreover, comparing to L'Artisan Parfumeur Piment Brûlant which is almost entirely of chilli pepper, Paprika Brasil's elegant iris drydown makes it more wearable and all the while stay interesting. I think Paprika Brasil definitely worths a try, especially to those who are interested in fragrances with a certain vegetal quality.

This tickles me—I mean, it really does tickle my senses, it has a trigeminal effect for me. The trigeminal nerve responsible for sending pain, touch and temperature sensations from your face to your brain. Here is a bit of this tingling, electric sensation, and I experience this when I smell a cut red pepper or smell and taste paprika itself. I happen to find this quite pleasant as I imagine many do. However, in large quantities of, say, capsaicin, for example, this sensation goes from tingley to spicy hot. Here, the subtle tickle I feel in Paprika Brasil enhances all else in play here, the way it seems to "refract" with the vegetal viridescence and is rendered a bit smoother by the buttery, suave orris root that is the crux of the composition. Like a number of others from Jean-Claude Ellena in the Hermessence series, this feels like a watercolor, dreamy and delightfully obscure. In its heart, there are suggestions of the reseda flower, green-spicy, verging on allium-like, with violet undertones. It feels like smooth skin, waxy petals, suggestions of fresh green peas, tangy, tart facets, that grow drier and woodier over time. There is an ever so subtle smokiness that surfaces as well, the vaguest smolder beneath the foliage and roots. Overall, it all just stops short of feeling culinary (something L'Artisan Parfumeur could not avoid, as fascinating of a concept it is) and the end result is a big love for me: a compelling creation of nuanced botany and perfume impressionism.

I managed to find a more-than-half-full 100ml bottle from a reseller and I'm so glad I did. I'd read lots of reviews of Paprika Brasil, including from editors when it first came out (all seemingly negative). There were many different opinions, but I did pick up on bits and pieces that I agree with, and many that don't match my experience. I wonder if this one just needed time to come alive versus a fresh spray from a new batch? It was love at first smell for me. Someone else noted papery flowers - a great way to describe it - over rich, spicy wood. I don't pick up much on the individual spice notes, I think they are absorbed and unified into the underlying wood for me. It's very evocative and mysterious; delicate but tough; there is something classical but fashioned in a novel way. Everything is in perfect balance and it's a one-of-a-kind fragrance to me. Some of the original reviews compare it to Dzongkha - a great scent I know well, having gifted it to my sister - but I don't smell any parallels, other than maybe in the general somber mood. It's perhaps the longest lasting of the EDTs in the line, though it's always a skin scent, as one would assume. A precision unisex scent. It might be my favorite JCE Hermessence. It's really a shame that it was discontinued; I will wear mine sparingly.

The opening is spicy, with wafts of iris threaded through the hot pepper, which gives the perfume a noticeable metallic tang almost reminiscent of certain Serge Lutens perfumes. Very soon it veers into violet candy territory, which you either love or hate (I love it), before taking a lovely sharp green edge that stops it from becoming cloying. The woods come through as a general sense of warmth, comfort and class, bringing depth and power to something that might have turned out a bit too church-lady or granny-ish. Projection and sillage are weak to medium and longevity is medium (I got about five hours out of it). Paprika Brasil is definitely Hermès to the last drop: it's chic, it's confident, it's timeless, it smells polished and expensive, and it has that purity and clarity you can't get from anyone but Ellena. Is it incredibly thought-provoking or cutting-edge? No, but it's still beautiful and unique in its own right, and almost 15 years later it still smells relevant. The work of a master never goes out of style.

Truly stunning fragrance. So very sad it was discontinued. The unexpected combination of woody cedar scent with iris smells like summer for me (the part before all the grass dries up and dies in July), when the crepe myrtles are in bloom and their scent fills the air with a soft powdery iris smell, and there are hints of cedar shaving smells drifting on the breeze. I live in a hot climate and this scent seems made for that. Despite the unexpected combination of ingredients, I don't find this an aggressive combination at all. It's very pleasant. I compared it to the newer Cedre Sambac release (cedar and jasmine) and definitely prefer this scent as more warm and comforting over CS. I plan on spinning out my big bottle for a loooong time.

Extraordinary, that opening blast of goulash and bookcases, so striking, instantly transporting me. Spicy paprika and splintered Brasil wood. Performing alchemy with these two notes to create a desirable-but-aloof urban sophisticate's dream of a daytime scent. Iris in the middle working to bridge the two perfectly and making it just perfumey enough and yes, that trace floral sweetness might be a tiny drop of the mignonette Fragrantica lists. As usual Hermès keep it clean, contemporary, unmuddled. It has beautiful clarity and simplicity. The end result is sublime. I definitely have a thing for peppery woods and this is one of the more unexpected combinations. One I had to own.

Paprika Brasil is a very unique woody-spicy unisex scent from the Hermessence line. Suitable for most occasions and seasons. Yes it`s expencive, but it`s worth the money. On my skin the longevity is great, and the sillage is moderate. This one actually last longer on my skin than Poivre Samarcande. I`m very impressed by the scents from the Hermessence line, and I think Mr. Ellena is a true genius when it comes to create unique classy fragrances. Highly recommended!

Jean-Claude Ellena Docet. Paprika Brasil is a fragrance: sensual, overwhelming, it evokes warm and tumultuous atmospheres. The magnetic power of paprika and ember-red wood, celebrating the wonder of the magical and mysterious Brazilian land, sweetened by the floral note of Iris. Undoubtedly an intense fragrance, with strong and determined characters, with a surprising olfactory evolution. Another masterpiece from the great master.

This has become my signature scent...So intriguing, warm, and unexpected. It smells like nothing I ever wore before, some people say it reminds them of A-Men, personally I don't think so, not at all. It reminds me of aa woody forest right before night falls, when humidity is returning and you can sense the smell of leaves and soil.

the dry down reminds me of the opening of misia. just a bit. i love it!!! if u ever contemplate to get this, just go and get it already. its really good. perrformance for an edt is above average. one of the best hermessence, scent and performance wise. and if somehow u still have doubts, id say just believe in the work of a master.

I caught myself thinking this smells unfinished, but it’s a gorgeous papery iris with some spice, greenness and woods. What else should there be? Lasts longer than you would think maybe the fact its discontinued adds to the overall appeal. But its also a very unique iris that works year round in my climate.

This fragrance was amazing, I was afraid of the paprika note, but it is made masterfuly, the opening it this dry, spicy, dried paprika note, but not foody, or overpowering, then it is like a watery, green, authentic iris fragrances with a hint of spice, wearable, yet interesting

The name is rather deceptive; I imagined something quite spicy and heated given the red colour and paprika in the name. This sharp spicy opening is short lived. However it's a rather soft, smooth and tender iris forward scent. Reminiscent of Ellena's classic style. I love it

Smells nice. A great second after Poivre. Similar to it but Paprika has more pepper and includes Iris. For this price Id rather choose Poivre Sarmaconde since its amazing. Just get A*Men A taste of fragrance since its similar just more darker and not expensive.

So damn good. I don't understand how someone can dislike this. It is the height of modern sophistication. Completely unisex

I love this smell.. one of my favorites from hermessence line

'Paprika Brasil' begins with a demure paprika and pimento accord, which is punctuated lightly with clove. The pepper is softened and muted here, seemingly blunted from becoming too spicy or irritative. Its typical piquant qualities have been toned down as if being diluted by brush strokes in a watercolor painting. A beautiful vegetal accord follows, carrying with it hints of green bell pepper and freshly snipped English ivy. Floral, powdery iris enters next offering a delicate counterpoint to the bolder paprika of the top notes. The grey, powdery tonalities with which the iris conveys act to temper the peppery facets as well as add lightness to what could have become an otherwise heavy and dense composition. Mignonette flower further adds buoyancy with its highly fragrant scent. The sweet, ambrosial odor is a much needed respite from the proceeding savory notes. Finally, the composition comes to rest on an assured linear, woody accord which is both as comforting as it is satisfying. A true unisex fragrance, 'Paprika Brasil' can clearly be worn and appreciated by both men and woman alike. The fragrance is an enigma in that the fiery temperament of the pepper has been so well blended with soft florals and woods as to become nearly unrecognizable. It is a true olfactory delight. 'Paprika Brasil' seems fitted for year round wearing, with my own personal preference to wear during the cooler days of spring and autumn. The projection, silage and longevity for this "eau de toilette" are light to average with fragrance becoming a skin scent soon after application. I wear it as a treat to myself, capturing glimpses of its unique beauty and artistry via whiffs throughout the day. One of my personal favorites from the Hermessence collection.

Hermessence Paprika Brasil Hermès Paprika Brasil is really reminiscent the Misia (EDT) on my skin as the way the powdery woody floral with Rosy undertone along with violet. However, their is slight difference element contributing to the scent be the spicy top, really reminiscence of mild paprika. The spicy effect tame down very fast. Melting with violet and iris, becomes more like unisex powdery scent. I think the secret here is lying in rosewood / woody element that create this beautiful effect. As Iris x Spiciness x Rosewood. It is very beautiful. It is kinda soft wood. I have never meet this effect before, maybe in L’iris in Santa Maria if I remember correctly. Slight modern composition; in line with Hermessense. This could be counterpart of the pepper scent from the same line. Shouldn’t miss if you are fan of spicy scent. I think, it is miss-judge and unfairly discontinued. As fragrance collectors, this provide one of most unique composition by JCE, this is very innovative. 8/10

I've tried several from the Hermessence collection and this one is one of my favorite ones. It has Jean-Claude Ellena's watercolor and dreamy style. In the Hermessence collection, the idea was to create olfactory poems. And I think the scent in this fragrance is poetic. The fragrance concept was Brazilian wood, and Ellena's interpretation of the tat is a spicy iris scent. The scent is very delicate and refined. The top notes are hot spices and to me, both the iris and the violet play equal roles in the heart, creating a harmonious balance. The base is woody and green, giving it a clean, and a bit soapy vibe. The violet adds a slightly leathery and watery feel. The dry down has a powdery and earthy undertone. Overall, this is a unique iris fragrance. I think this fragrance would be a great option for an artistic person or someone who likes poems and literature. I truly enjoy this one. 8.5/10

Strong paprika / red pepper opening, with bright green-smelling, springy, rooty, powdery, floury iris. The spice and iris pairing is odd but interesting, and the spice is not too sweaty like pepper and paprika can sometimes be. It's more diffusive, white iris and wood as it progresses, less spice, though really mostly iris - beautiful iris - and not like the iris from ukiyoe - it's colder, clearer and more austere. I feel like this stage until the end does remind me of a refined older woman with good taste, creating a bit of a stylistic disjoin with the opening. It is beautiful though, and I find myself liking it despite dry, green iris fragrances being the opposite of my usual scent preferences. The sillage and longevity are better than usual for a Hermessence

I'm a huge fan of pepper, Brazil wood and clove based fragrances so I knew from the start this was going to be a must-have for me. Pimento is rather prominent here with its tangy sharpness. A dry, earthy paprika is perceptible with just a hint of smokey clove. I love the added "green leaves" note, which offers a much needed vegetal quality amongst all the other arid ingredients (it reminded me of freshly snipped English Ivy). Iris lends a powdery sweetness, perfectly accompanying the resonant Brazil wood. Classically elegant, masculine, and debonaire. (99)

Hermes Paprika Brasil (2006) - spicy iris - I enjoy using Spanish #paprika in dishes and #jeanclaudeellena brings out peculiarities of the spice in this perfume. Starts with a blast of Paprika mixed with Clove. The spicy accord mixes with Iris supported by a woody backbone. Reminds me of frying paprika in oil - its taste you can smell at the back of your palate. I also get forest walks with mushrooms and green grassy notes. Slight lipstick, but this is a dry accord with nothing creamy about it. Delightful to wear.

Opening hit me with a candy-like violet note? very powdery, floral, where is the spicy pepper? This is hands down the most unique, and interesting release from the whole Hermessence line-up. Ok, after a few minutes, i think i smell some clove. If this has pepper/pimento, it has to be a crushed, powdery version of that note, cause i associate the colors - purple, lilac and green with this scent. Very strange, but very pleasant surprise.

As with all the line, the prices are not in my range, bur honesty i think that i would'nt even spend the half for paprika brasil although it's pleasant enough. It starts dry and fiery,but soon iris kicks in and i kind of love it.But i find it lacks interst in the drydown when it smells like a laundry softener with apple flavor. Not bad but it seems unfinished.And i don't think that the name or the inspiration suits it right

I agree with sherapop, the iris note is prevalent here. At least how I see and smell it ;) Then it goes herbaceous and woody. It's a clean and neat fragrance. Projection and silage is medium. It's expensive but I only got the travel size 15ml bottles box with 4 bottles inside and that way you can choose 4 different kinds. I also find it more interesting than Iris ukiyoe.

Mmm! Like a wood filled gourmet hot tamale. At first spray it smelled a little soapy to me, but as it warms up the chile's really start to shine, and I start to smell cedar. I'm a huge Jean-Claude Ellena fan, that being said I personally would not wear this, but I definitely admire it for it's uniqueness. Stays close to skin, and has excellent lasting power.

As a fan of Jean-Claude Ellena, I was really looking forward to wearing this creation, but unfortunately, it just never came to the point. On my skin this is an iris/suede composition, very soft with a touch of spiciness. As with all JCE, his style of aquarelels is magnificent and unique. TRuly a masterpiece, I am just not a fan of iris.

scent : 9/10 sillage : 7/10 longevity : 7/10 70% day / 30% night fragrance nice green,violet and woody scent Reminds me of Eau de Narcisse Bleu by Hermès and Sienne l ́Hiver Eau D`Italie

Green, spicy. OK. Not bad. Gets better. Dries down to violet candy. I like violet candy.

Portrait of Lydia Delectorskaya, by Henri Matisse 1947

I would expect more reviews from a scent that has been out a decade but I now see why. This is not a popular scent amongst the Hermessence line and is a confusing scent. Trust me folks, the stars are Ambre Narguile, Vetiver Tonka and Rose Ikebana. You probably know that and decided to test this one just like me. Sure it has a nice paprika and iris note in the opening. Then comes the dry down of clove. I pretty much dislike anything with clove except for Copper Skies by Kerosene. This has an almost sickening smell to it. As mentioned by others it is more of a skin scent so it won't offend too many but the wearer of course. Hopefully the clove no is not so apparent on your skin as it is on mines. Total scrubber and the price tag is RIDICULOUS!!

Starts out spicy, and ends up spicy. My nose didn't see a lot of depth in this one.

The Hermessence line can be summed up as a series of Jean-Claude Ellena's trademark dreamy olfactory watercolours commissioned by Hermès. As one would expect from a perfumer of his calibre (and a house like Hermès), they are consistently good - if I have yet to fall in love with one in particular. Paprika Brasil is a lovely composition - it has warm, peppery spice up top, marrying beautifully with the smooth woody base, tied together beautifully by an unexpected green-violet-iris heart. PB opens with the paprika note, warm and peppery. I sometimes find notes I associate with cooking off-putting in perfume, and in this case, the name is partially why I've neglected to try this scent until now. However, the paprika note works beautifully here- a slightly unusual peppery note that contributes to the spicy opening while adding nose-tickling interest. As it develops, green violet and a pale, slightly powdery iris note emerge. It is smooth and sheer, with the soft spices adding interest. Iris always marries well with spice, but sometimes it can be overpowered. That is not the case here - it is a beautifully-balanced dance between the green iris accord and the spices of the opening. This delicate balance is due in no small part to M. Ellena's signature light touch. As it dries down, the dry, woody base comes to the fore, smooth and slightly smoky as it progresses. It is complemented beautifully by the spices of the opening, reminiscent of polished antique furniture. The green iris heart bridges it together in an unusual yet cohesive manner. It fades to a woody, musky skin scent. Sillage and longevity are moderate, and it is a year-round scent. PB also is a beautifully-crafted, unusual take on a spicy-woody scent. It is unisex and polite, ideal for everyday and/or office use. Effortlessly elegant, as befits Hermessence in general. 4/5.

I am thoroughly intrigued now by Hermessence PAPRIKA BRASIL, having donned the last few drops of a small sample this morning. I must say that I was taken totally by surprise. Without any knowledge of the notes, this seemed to me an incense-iris perfume! I think that I was expecting something unpleasant along the lines of the AP salsa facsimile (PIMENT BRULANT). Instead, I am sufficiently pleased with this composition to want to acquire more so that I can wear it again. There really is a hefty iris note here, and I'm a big-time iris-phile. I'm beginning to wonder, actually, whether some people simply have very weak iris receptors. Or perhaps mine are super-sensitive? To my nose, there's a hefty dose of iris in this composition, which therefore has been completely misnamed! That's no criticism of the perfume, however, which I intend to seek out. Although others have complained of flimsiness, on my skin, this elixir has good projection and clinging capacity. On my wish list!

A spicy Iris scent. Something unusual and unique. Jean-Claude Ellena was inspired by Brazil when creating this fragrance, with a specific focus on Brazilwood (from which the name of the country originated). In any case, I see this primarily as an Iris-based fragrance. I like the spicy touch with the pimento/paprika vibe. Upon first application I initially thought it smelt a little like food (I happen to use paprika a lot in cooking), but I've since grown to appreciate the Iris note, and I know that I like it very much and would happily wear it. Again, I find some of the Hermessence line creations a little fleeting, and for the price that is certainly an issue here. However I won't deny that I like this fragrance. I find it different and unique. Earthy Iris and chilli, giving off a spicy-green floral vibe. Good stuff.

I get the buttery iris opening immediately. There's also a pinch of pimento in here but in my opinion it lasts mere seconds. It then settles into a pleasant mix of a peppered iris with some woods in the background. There remains a spicy quality throughout the scent but it's buried under the iris which to me is the most prominent note in the first 30-60 minutes. A much better iris scent than Iris Ukiyoe, which is more of a white floral in my opinion. Easily unisex. Wears lightly and elegantly, and to my surprise this one lasts longer than some of the others from the Hermessence collection. Projection is soft, but longevity is much better as it sticks to the skin. If you are a fan or iris scents, this one should definitely be on your to try list. 8/10

It starts fresh, soapy and a bit floral (I would have said that this contained rose). Two minutes later, I can get raw red or green pimento, pepper and cloves and the scent starts to be really gourmand (but not sweet at all). It smells "culinary" and the food/spices are very true to the reality. But I wouldn't say that this smells pleasant to me. I like spicy fragrances but this smells just like the hands and fingertips after cutting pimentos and cooking. The scent doesn't change after the opening and it stays several hours on my skin, but sillage is only noticeable for an hour.

Ahhhhh, this one is something to write home to your mother about. A very unusual and very mature scent that I still don't quite understand in all honesty. It seems like it is very basic, with just powdery dried paprika and then all of these spices and woods come out. I can't say which woods I'm smelling, or even really what spices there are (except the clove) It smells exactly like a kitchen as you're getting your spices together for a very very flavourful mexican dish. Highly recommend this one, it's not for everyone!

Paprika Brasil comfortably sits between all other fragrances of the same line (Hermessence), with its thin and minimalistic structure. Peppery spices and woods pleasantly balanced to create a traslucent and very gentle smell. Nice and well executed but I expected a little more from a supposed"exclusive" line by Hermes. A serious contendant if just half priced. Rating: 6.5-7/10

A dry rose-iris scent that tickles your nostrils. Strangely enough, the iris here is resembling a fresh dry-smelling rose. To me this is a dry, clear transparent scent....that manages to be peppery all the way to drydown. It is very nice, light, like a crisp winter morning. Lovely, pretty on a man also.... Nice and refined but no lasting power at all.

A very nice makeup scent. Smells like lipstick with pimento, cinnamon, and oregano. Similar to Balenciaga Paris.

I have two new bottles of this discontinued fragrance if anyone's intersted.

If anyone in the EU is willing to sell their bottle please message me 😊

Paprika and brasil wood softened with iris.Seductive,ardent,unexpected.

It’s a nice smell but the projection longevity is 2/10 very poor

dry iris. dusting of paprika. whisper of musk. nice for summer.

Points for creativity but this is way too harsh.